American Home Schools
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American Home Schools |
California has no specific homeschooling law and homeschoolers may choose one of five different legal options:
Is home schooling really legal in California?
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Summary:
Each person between the ages of 6 and 18 years not exempted under the provisions of this chapter or Chapter 3 (commencing with Section 48400) is subject to compulsory full-time education. Each person subject to compulsory full-time education and each person subject to compulsory continuation education not exempted under the provisions of Chapter 3 (commencing with Section 48400) shall attend the public full-time day school or continuation school or classes and for the full time designated as the length of the school day by the governing board of the school district in which the residency of either the parent or legal guardian is located and each parent, guardian, or other person having control or charge of the pupil shall send the pupil to the public full-time day school or continuation school or classes and for the full time designated as the length of the school day by the governing board of the school district in which the residence of either the parent or legal guardian is located. Unless otherwise provided for in this code, a pupil shall not be enrolled for less than the minimum school day established by law.
There are two private school options for homeschooling: (1) enroll in a private school independent study program or (2) establish a private school in one's own home.
Children who are being instructed in a private full-time day school by persons capable of teaching shall be exempted. Such school shall, except under the circumstances described in Section 30, be taught in the English language and shall offer instruction in the several branches of study required to be taught in the public schools of the state. The attendance of the pupils shall be kept by private school authorities in a register, and the record of attendance shall indicate clearly every absence of the pupil from school for a half day or more during each day that school is maintained during the year. Exemptions under this section shall be valid only after verification by the attendance supervisor of the district, or other person designated by the board of education, that the private school has complied with the provisions of Section 33190 requiring the annual filing by the owner or other head of a private school of an affidavit or statement of prescribed information with the Superintendent of Public Instruction. The verification required by this section shall not be construed as an evaluation, recognition, approval, or endorsement of any private school or course. Enrollment in a Private School Independent Study Program Students may be enrolled in traditional site-based private school offering independent study or a private school established solely for the purpose of offering independent study. The private school must have filed an R-4 Private School Affidavit in the State of California. Establishing a Private School in One's Own Home Children attending private schools are exempt from the state's compulsory education law. Many homeschooling families choose to file an R-4 Private School Affidavit notifying the State of California that they have established a private school in their home. Credentials or certificates are not required for teachers in California private schools. A private school is required to offer the "several branches of study required to be taught in the public schools." There is no specific curriculum or teaching methodology required. A "Course of Study" must be kept on file for each child along with immunization records or a signed waiver and an attendance record. A list of the parent's educational qualifications should be kept on file. Other than a copy of the R-4 Affidavit, these documents are not required to be presented to the school district, county, or state. There are no testing or other reporting requirements for private schools.